I think the advice a couple of you have given us today of not reintroducing the same bill, is good advice.
I would like to thank Senator Dorgan, Senator Murkowski, and indeed the entire Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for all of their hard work...
We are not discouraged. In fact, we have great hope that our long struggle will bear fruit in the 111th Congress.
It is critically important that reforming and improving the health care system for American Indians remains a high priority.
I also urge the Committee to take opportunities to improve the Indian health system during health reform.
I hope that in the new Congress, that we can move forward on the critical issues facing the Indian health care system.
I don't need to tell anyone in this room that the current system is broken.
I hope at the end of that journey, we all will have felt we have done something that advances Indian health care in this Country.
The question of eligibility is obviously important.
We desperately need the new authorities offered by the Indian Health Care Improvement legislation.
I think it would make sense to me if I and Senator Barrasso and others members of this Committee, working with all of you, can try to evalua...